The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

Thrillers authors on Kirkus Pro Connect (page 2)

J. B. Manas is co-author of the bestselling sci-fi thriller, The Kronos Interference, which Kirkus Reviews called “impressively original” and a “tour de force.” The book was named to Kirkus ... Read full author bio >

"In this time-travel thriller, debut authors Miller and Manas spin a clever, original variation on a classic alternative history premise... The prose is unfussy, the pacing appropriately brisk, and the past and future sequences show the authors' admirable imaginative gifts... impressively original."

Douglas Wickard is the author of five novels, including the Amazon Kindle bestselling SAMI SAXTON series: A PERFECT HUSBAND, A PERFECT SETUP & PERFECT, as well as the DAN HAMMER FBI ... Read full author bio >

Roger Croft is a former journalist whose news reporting and feature articles have appeared in numerous publications including 'The Economist,' the 'Sunday Telegraph' in the U.K and in the ... Read full author bio >

"Woven with historical fact and modern conflict, Vaux's triumphant return for one last nail-biting mission proves to be a rewarding and satisfying end to this trilogy.--Kirkus Reviews [THE MAGHREB CONSPIRACY].
Surprises lurk behind every character in this original storyline, fraught with suspense.--Kirkus reviews [OPERATION SALADIN]"

Born in Sweden, I've lived abroad for many years – in Spain, France, and presently in Mexico. In the past, a good part of my life was dedicated to business ... Read full author bio >

"THE LOST IDENTITY CASUALTIES: After Russian mobsters sever his fingers and slash his face, Matthias Callaghan is rushed to a clinic in Switzerland, where doctors equip him with prosthetic hands and a face transplant. He then uses the anonymity of his new face to exact revenge on all involved, losing his humanity in the process.
In this first volume of the Callaghan tetralogy, Ekemar (Destiny Comes With Strings Attached, 2008, etc.) presents a fresh, intriguing tale. Through an intricate weaving of character, circumstance, mistaken identity and coincidence, he constructs an engaging, original storyline. Rather than a potion, it is his new persona that changes Callaghan—a face transplanted from the corpse of a man out of his wife’s past. The author deftly uses Callaghan’s dry, emotionless voice to characterize the evolution of his personality: “The planning for revenge was strangely satisfying, as was the detachment from my friends and former life.” From the beginning, Callaghan is methodical; he even says so numerous times. Also, his participation in a credit card scam early in his career suggests an ember of criminality. Nevertheless, his disciplined, systematic approach allows him to track down all the players involved in his abduction and to construct elaborate cons in order to execute retribution. “My motivation was absolute,” he says. “I wanted to see those who had destroyed my life suffer like I had.” But payback doesn’t end there. He is compelled to bring down peripheral actors such as his former partner in crime Allan, and his ne’er-do-well father, also named Matthias. Even his wife, Julia—evidently a victim of circumstance—must pay. Ekemar plays the plot beautifully, contrasting past and present chapters in well-thought-out juxtaposition. A few symbolic ideas—such as a genetic mutation placing Callaghan’s heart on the right side—spice things up as well. Good thing the next installment is already out there.
A unique, multilayered tale with some fresh twists.
WHERE THE BONES OF A BURIED RAT LIE: In Ekemar’s (The Lost Identity Causalities, 2014, etc.) second thriller in a planned four-book series, Matthias Callaghan returns to London, where he takes on the identity of his late father.
In this latest installment, the author regales readers with multiple plots, cons, identities, and possible outcomes. His protagonist, Callaghan, is back with yet another transplanted face—this time, his dead dad’s. Ostensibly, Callaghan is dead himself, as far as anyone else knows; however, since he and his father so closely resembled each other, he finds it convenient (and sometimes necessary) to switch personas, depending on whom he’s dealing with. He soon finds that he must deal with dogged policemen, gangsters, and even the re-emergence of his ex-wife. Ekemar uses much of this second book to further develop Callaghan as a character—a Jekyll-and-Hyde figure who’s sometimes charming and other times a complete sociopath. Readers will be jolted when the affable Callaghan’s evil persona periodically emerges: “How could I get Rathbone killed without getting myself involved?” This is multilayered writing at its best, as plot tendrils reach in all directions, and at its center is Callaghan himself—a victim of mistaken identity, named after the biblical disciple who replaced Judas, who morphs into a kind of avenging angel. What’s most intriguing about him is that however despicable he becomes, readers will still empathize with him. This is due partly to Ekemar’s skillful writing and partly because Callaghan’s fall began long ago, when he was the victim of a brutal attack. It also doesn’t hurt that the people he takes down are often, though not always, more despicable than he is. Unlike in the first book, which could stand alone, only one of Callaghan’s new plotlines here comes to fruition; most of what happens is used to set up events in future installments. This novel, however, depends heavily on what came before, which makes reading the first part of the Callaghan Tetralogy a prerequisite. That said, it’s a must for those who enjoyed the previous volume.
This well-written thriller’s complex plotting and characterization make for a fine read."

George Le Beau grew up in the projects of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Born in January 1946 to Leo & Alice Le Beau he was introudced to his French Canadian/Iroquois heritage ... Read full author bio >

"A teenager develops a talent for killing, both in and out of the Army, in this riveting Vietnam-era thriller.
Rick Fountaine, 15, flees Connecticut after murdering the family that abused him and his mother. In Chicago, he finds a job and friends, but death follows him. He kills again—in self-defense, but no matter. He moves on to Peoria, then to Texas, then to California. His fake IDs catch up with him: Because he has pretended to be older than he is, he is drafted. Posted first to Texas, his platoon is shipped out to Vietnam. There he excels. His talents for finding the right way through the jungle and spotting ambushes—perhaps, he thinks, something innate from his Native American heritage—make him no friends with his commanding officer, but others appreciate him, including the CIA. He goes on a black-ops mission, providing critical covering fire for his team. Wounded on what was supposed to be a safe patrol, he is discharged. He connects with an old Army buddy and finds that there is a civilian demand for a man with his skills. He joins a team of fellow veterans working as “independent contractors” and soon finds himself pitted against embezzlers, high-end art thieves and Chinese drug smugglers. First-time author Le Beau has delivered a potent mixture of teen rebellion and true-to-life combat. Enormously compelling, this book doesn’t let you put it down. Le Beau, a Vietnam veteran, realistically depicts jungle patrols and firefights like no other.
A fast-paced, rewarding read whose combat realism is extraordinary."

Dr Peter J Quesenberry is the Paul Calabresi, MD Professor of Oncology and Director of Hematology/Oncology Research at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, RI ... Read full author bio >

"The best plotlines are gruesome and/or tense: the various plots against Joe; a caretaker who fears for his life; and a couple of surprising deaths. And the revelation of the mysterious logbook’s contents may shock more than a few readers."

Randall Reneau is the author of four novels, including Diamond Fields, a Royal Dragonfly Book Awards grand prize winner, and Deadly Lode, a Richard Boes award-winner. He is also a ... Read full author bio >

Paul Mark Tag graduated with degrees in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University and worked for the Naval Research Laboratory as a research scientist for over thirty years before retiring to ... Read full author bio >

A native of Boston and a writer since high school, Derik Cavignano currently lives in Florida with his wife and two children. He enjoys writing character-driven stories in a variety ... Read full author bio >

"…Cavignano brings wonderful characterization of people and places to his lightning-paced fantasy thriller … Boston neighborhoods are impeccably portrayed… A gleefully hard-boiled urban fantasy that lights up Boston’s mean streets."

After an extensive business career, from the military to industry to Wall Street, and then onto businesses of his own, Tom Balderston has retired and now writes. He is a ... Read full author bio >

"This sprawling historical novel has an explosive concept.... book begins in fairly familiar Da Vinci Code territory. Radically different in several key ways that, if verified and published, would be revolutionary....(it) could provoke 'a battle for control of the Muslim world.' ...A textured, intriguing novel about a world-changing holy book."

Executive Producer of Lost Highway Films, author Marc Rosenberg has spent three decades in the film industry. His television & film production company, Lost Highway Films specializes in Commercials, Digital Content ... Read full author bio >

"Rosenberg largely manages to keep the complex plot cohesive. The action moves quickly, and the prose is confident… it musters brevity and grit… A thriller with abundant style…"

Gustavo Florentin was born in Queens, New York and received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic University of New York. He spent a decade in the ... Read full author bio >

"A fierce thriller that doesn't offer many chances to catch a breath."

Be the first to discover new talent!
Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our Pro Connect email alert.
Sign up here to receive your FREE alerts.